Introduction Mississippian Period • Telephone to the Great Spirit • Mississippian triangulars • Cahokia The Woodland Period • Late to middle Woodland • Late to middle Woodland ceramics Archaic Period • Nebo Hill - Our areas indiginous culture The Mercer Site • A multli-occupational site and map. Remnants • Fishing River's disappearing past Contact Me Home Remnants of the disappearing past This construction site located on Fishing River is an example of how many archaeological sites are quickly destroyed. The dozers dug into the rise along the second shelf to make way for a basement. Layers of ground once occupied by Native Americans in Missouri were forever jumbled. Unfortunately, the same places that appeal to modern builders appealed also to the ancient ones. When Missouri was settled the water ways served as markers and barriers to the traveler. Many roads are constructed along water ways and so the places richest in history are the most vulnerable. Prehistorically, the area in which the above site is located was a natural choice for man because it was at the closest point to the water while high enough to escape flooding. The river attracted wildlife that was essential to the inhabitants diet and survival. The combination of these attractions to ancient and modern man have lead to the rapid destruction of many sites. The land where this site once existed was farmed prior to it being chosen for a home site. Please see in this a few of the surviving artifacts. These pieces will be kept together to serve as the only remaining record of the people who once lived there. Return to top of page